Cardinal offers ND grads advice from Bono

May 18, 2008|By MARGARET FOSMOE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND Â? Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick donned Bono-style sunglasses and offered some advice from that Irish rock star at the start of todayÂ?s commencement ceremony at the University of Notre Dame.

McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C., is friends with Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock band U2. The cardinal said he phoned the Irish musician and asked for a thought to share with the graduates.

Â?He asked for me to tell you to choose your enemies carefully, because you will be defined by that choice,Â? McCarrick said. Â?He said oftentimes, our enemies are within us. He volunteered that his enemy had been indifference.Â?

Bono conquered that indifference and has become known for his social and political activism, especially in helping the people of Africa, McCarrick said.

More than 2,900 students received bachelorÂ?s, masterÂ?s or doctoral degrees during the commencement exercises in the Joyce Center.

McCarrick went on to praise Notre DameÂ?s commitment to education and faith, saying the university continues the mission established by Blessed Father Basil Anthony Moreau, who was founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the religious congregation that founded the university. Moreau was beatified last September at ceremonies in France.

For complete coverage of the Notre Dame commencement, including remarks by actor Martin Sheen Â? who received the universityÂ?s 2008 Laetare Medal Â? check back at this Web site and read MondayÂ?s South Bend Tribune.